Our History
The AVCS History
The Almaden Valley Youth Counseling Service (AVYCS) was founded in 1980 based on a community concern that adequate counseling services were not available for youth of the community. This was in large part due to the withdrawal of school counselors on school campuses due to Proposition 13 but the final impetus was two tragic teen suicides.
AVYCS opened its doors in the basement of Joint Ventures Church with a part-time director/counselor, moving to its current office location on Crown Boulevard in 1985. In 1999, AVYCS changed its name to Almaden Valley Counseling Service (AVCS). To date, nine directors have followed serving youth, adults, families, and couples by providing counseling and support for high-risk kids and teens, strengthening families, parenting classes, couples in crisis, on-site school-based therapy (in over 40 schools), older adults with loss, and other mental health needs.
Many AVCS counselors have a Master’s Degree in Counseling or Clinical Psychology and are pursuing their hours toward licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists through the AVCS associateship training program. Other AVCS counselors are trainees who are providing services with us in order to complete their Master’s Degree in Counseling or Clinical Psychology. The supervised clinical experience that both types of counselors need to complete the state-mandated licensor requirements is provided by AVCS. Recently rental space has been opened up to licensed therapists for their individual practices at the AVCS offices.
In the earlier years, much fundraising was done by the Auxiliary along with grants received from Almaden Valley Women’s Club, IBM, Santa Clara County Dept. of Social Services, Xilinx, El Camino Health, Kaiser Permanente, Sharks Foundation, and Cisco to support AVCS and its growth in providing mental health service to the community. The Auxiliary’s fundraising played a big part in earlier years not only to provide operating funds for the agency but to bring the community together through the Snow Ball fashion show luncheon, dinner and tea, the Almaden Times Classic 5k and 10k run, Home for he Holidays home tour, and Santa’s Breakfast. Today most funding is provided through school counseling contracts, client fees, grants from corporations, foundations, and other organizations, and individual donations as AVCS serves hundreds of students, individuals, families, and couples throughout Santa Clara County.
Our original mission was to provide counseling services, free of charge, to residents of Almaden Valley. Currently, there are no geographical boundaries and a sliding fee scale ($35-$95) was developed with our mission to provide affordable services to ALL ages ~ to support and promote personal growth, positive family relationships, and emotional well-being.
“If you have not heard of Almaden Valley Counseling Service please look them up. They have been quietly helping youth and families with mental health and social issues for 35 years. This great nonprofit spends their dollars wisely and helps over 1800 youth and families annually. It was my honor to recognize their work today.”
–Johnny Khamis, San Jose City Councilmember (2015)
Year | Overview | Budget | Board Chair |
2022 | COC services continue on site at schools. Student mental health adversely affected by pandemic, and schools requested more counseling days. AVCS clinic services offered both in-person and via telehealth |
$1,253,000 | |
2021 | 8/20 through 6/21 schools offered remote learning. All COC services provided via telehealth. 8/21 schools returned to education on site. COC services offered on site at schools. AVCS clinic services offered via telehealth until 11/21, when in-person services resumed. Telehealth continued as an option. |
$1,013,000 | |
2020 | Responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic by connecting with clients, schools, and students to continue counseling through telehealth sessions Katy Carter retires from AVCS and Kathy Diangson, LMFT becomes interim executive director with new director Michelle Humke, CSJ, LMFT hired in August |
$911,000 | Caryn Fabian |
2019 | Provided over 650 hours/week of counseling in 40 schools and 250 hours of parenting support to families Served more than 3,000 clients in the clinic and Counseling on Campus (COC) Program |
$883,381 | |
2018 | Served 45 schools in 7 districts Staff of 40 associate therapists, 10 supervisors, and 6 office support Provided school support and training in dealing with cyber-bullying, sexting, and depression |
$837,629 | |
2017 | Over 30,000 counseling hours were provided by more than 42 interns and 12 supervisors 540 hours/week for COC Program and 125 hours/week for clinic counseling Top services addressed high-risk kids and teens, and strengthening families |
$743,139 | |
2016 | Over 40 schools contracted for COC | $774,625 | |
2015 | Received commendation from San Jose City Council for 35 years of community service Workshops for high schools given on suicidality Served close to 2000 clients in COC Program and Clinic |
$630,660 | |
2014 | Agency switches to electronic health records platform Treatment rooms refurbished reflecting AVCS’ commitment to growth 1,098 clients served in COC Program and Clinic |
$459,940 | |
2013 | 564 COC students served | $438,000 | Jayne Kwon |
2012 | Dept. of Social Services, SCC grant received | $417,750 | Christian Nielsen |
2011 | More schools added to COC Program | $380,851 | |
2010 | Broomstick Ball is held with AVCS as a grant recipient | $340,988 | Brendan Coveney |
2009 | Received first COC school district contract from SJUSD 376 Clinic clients receive 4084 sessions hours, 326 COC students served |
$345,580 | |
2008 | 521 Clinic clients and 426 COC students served Rocki Kramer retires and Katy Carter becomes the new executive director |
$305,657 | Robin Root |
2007 | At this time, AVCS has served over 10,000 clients with 146 interns working in our programs 499 Clinic and COC clients served Clinic clients receive 4,114 session hours |
$367,062 | Jerri Kazmierczak |
2006 | 178 Clinic clients and 381 COC students served | $321,011 | Adron Beeney |
2005 | Sliding scale fees are now $20 – $75/hour 21 schools in COC Program with 682 students seen for a total of 3,433 sessions Staff includes 25 interns, 10 supervisors, 8 licensed therapists |
$316,540 | Steve Kitrosser |
2004 | 876 clients receive 7500 hours of clinical service 330 COC students seen for a total of 2,298 visits Staff of 24 interns, 10 supervisors Counseling also offered in Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Vietnamese and French |
Gwen Hacker | |
2003 | Participated in Westfield Tile Project 554 clients receive 3731 hours of clinical service 37% of clients pay lowest fee |
$234,579 | Elena Agostino |
2002 | Home for the Holidays home tour event is held Brownstone Foundation underwrites Santa’s Breakfast Staff of 21 interns, 11 supervisors, 9 licensed therapists |
$211,787 | |
2001 | Geriatric Advisory program (GAP) developed by Cathleen Starr Staff of 19 interns, 8 supervisors, 9 licensed therapists |
$202,708 | Matt Giampaoli |
2000 | 20th Anniversary Celebration 12 Schools in COC program 32% of Clients pay lowest fee of $15 |
$195,495 | Marjorie Rasmussen |
1999 | Name changes to Almaden Valley Counseling Service (AVCS) 522 clients receive 2843 hours of clinical service 482 students seen in COC program Staff of 16 interns, 7 supervisors, 8 licensed therapists 3 new offices added |
$185,734 | John Redding |
1998 | Website developed Forum held on Alcohol Awareness 12 schools in COC Program |
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1997 | Snow Ball is now biannual event Offices are remodeled and updated Interns who become licensed continue their practice at AVYCS |
$168,000 | Marc Buller |
1996 | Community forum is Hanging Out and No Place to Go, Teen Loitering Graystone, Terrell, Randol and Williams Elementary Schools join the COC Program |
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1995 | Community forum is a Parent/Youth Seminar Simonds Elementary is added to COC Program |
$154,000 | Donna Dawson |
1994 | Community forum on Teenage Parties A sponsor of the Almaden Times Classic 10K/2Mile Run-Walk 539 clients receive 3,121 hours of clinical service 510 students seen in COC Program |
Lisa Chaney | |
1993 | Community forums on Gang Awareness and Teen Violence Minimum fee increased to $10 per session 10th Snow Ball event is held Staff grows to 18 interns, 4 supervisors and 4 part-time office support |
David Byers | |
1992 | Expansion of offices to include a family therapy room and a children’s art/sand tray therapy room Seven schools in COC Program 443 students seen for a total of 1,263 visits 470 clients receive 2,548 hours of clinical service |
Jackie Whitlock | |
1991 | 407 COC students servedSmokeless Saturday School, smoking cessation classes start Willow Glen Education Park joins the COC Program Staff includes 12 intern clinicians |
Barbara Anderson | |
1990 | 10th Anniversary Celebration First Home for the Holidays home tour is held Maximum fee for service is $50 per session |
$122,600 | Sheryl Stroh |
1989 | 296 students seen through the COC Program 445 clients receive clinic service Rocki Kramer becomes the executive director |
Linda Neilsson | |
1988 | Grant from IBM purchases a computer for the office staff Fee structure changes to sliding scale from $10-$40/session |
Pam Darin | |
1987 | Castillero, Steinbeck and John Muir Middle Schools join COC Program Parent education classes are instituted |
Sally Tillmans | |
1986 | Gunderson High School joins the COC Program | Art Darin | |
1985 | Facility moves office to Crown Boulevard Peer Facilitator Program begins at Leland High School Services extended to outside 95120 zip code |
$50,000 | Rich Crowley |
1984 | AVYCS is officially incorporated Counselor on Campus (COC) Program begins at Leland and Pioneer High Schools Auxiliary is formed and first Snow Ball fundraiser event is held |
Dee Eberle | |
1983 | Staff has grown to 4 interns and a consultant supervisor Fees increased to $10/session |
Sandy Engel | |
1982 | 501(c)3 non-profit status is granted and first intern clinician begins A fee of $5 per session is instituted |
Guy Miller | |
1981 | Funding received from the Almaden Valley Women’s Club A one-room office is rented |
Pat Dando | |
1980 | AVYCS is formed under the direction of Bob Martin and members of Joint Venture Churches Mission is to offer counseling services, free of charge for residents of 95120 Temporary director is Don Smith |
$6,689 | Bob Martin |